In surpassing the net rating of the Golden State Warriors’ 2016-17 season and demolishing them by 52 points on March 3, the Boston Celtics earned the title of an “all-time great regular season team,” as declared by Colin Ward-Henninger of CBS Sports.
This accomplishment catapulted the Celtics to the No. 1 spot in his NBA Power Rankings. The victory marked their 11th consecutive win and the third by 50 or more points this season, a feat no other NBA team has achieved.
NBC Sports Boston’s Darren Hartwell emphasized Jayson Tatum’s pivotal role in the victory, positioning him as a leading MVP candidate.
Tatum’s impact was evident in his defensive prowess against Stephen Curry and a team-best plus-40 plus-minus. While Tatum currently ranks fifth on the MVP ladder, Hartwell anticipates his stock rising with upcoming matchups against the Cavaliers and reigning champions, the Denver Nuggets.
Despite Tatum’s rising prominence, comparisons to the 2016-17 Golden State squad led by Kevin Durant arise, with concerns that the narrative of a “super-team” could impact Tatum’s MVP chances.
With seamless additions like Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday, some label the Celtics a “super-team.” However, skeptics question the legitimacy of this label, anticipating potential criticisms for individual players like Jaylen Brown.
Despite potential narratives, Tatum remains a standout performer on the league’s best team, making a compelling case for the MVP award.